Wetherby’s annual totepool & CIU Charity Racecday takes place on Saturday (November 15), with the twin highlights being a Handicap Chase for stayers over three miles and one furlong and a Handicap Hurdle contest over the extended two miles – both races held under the totepool banner and promoting the popular Saturday bet linked to races shown live on Channel 4 Racing – The totescoop6. Yorkshire-trained horses won both races last year, with No Planning taking the Handicap Chase for trainer Sue Smith, while Zaplamation (trained by John Quinn) landed the Handicap Hurdle contest.
Saturday’s seven-race programme begins at 12-25 p.m. and the afternoon’s activities are supported by members of the Club & Institute Union Racing Club as they continue to attend this Saturday fixture. Senior officials of the CIU will also be at Wetherby, as funds are raised for the CIU’s holiday and convalescent centre at Saltburn on the Yorkshire coast. A record number of bookings for Saturday’s meeting have been made by clubs affiliated to the CIU – in excess of 1,800 – with Farsley WMC once again leading the way with over 250 members due at Wetherby.
Leeds-based national gaming machine specialists, Dransfields once again support a Handicap Hurdle contest for stayers over three miles and one furlong, while The Hartleys 60th Anniversary Handicap Chase (extended two and a half miles) is also featured. This latter race is supported by leading frozen vegetable suppliers, J.E. Hartley Ltd, based in Thorganby near York, as part of the company’s 60th anniversary celebrations.
There will be a preview of the afternoon’s racing in the winners’ enclosure prior to racing. Also, for the 22nd consecutive year, members of Driffield Veterans’ Soccer Club will be attending this meeting, as usual in fancy dress – the theme this year is ‘Mexican Banditos’!
The giant screen situated opposite the stands will enable racegoers to see even more of the action, including racing from Cheltenham and the big race, The Paddy Power Gold Cup (due off at 2-30 p.m.) The full-colour racecard will contain details of the feature races at Cheltenham, while Irish Band, ‘Ceilidh House’ provide the musical entertainment in the Paddock Enclosure.
Also on Saturday, there’s a free shuttle bus service between Wetherby Bus Station prior to and for up to one hour after the final race.